OM*
- Thread starter Goblit
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[toj.cc]phantom
Tribe of Judah Membership Administrator
Goblit said:
Well...it is taking the Lord's name in vaine...and we shouldn't do that...but normally I just ignore it when some one else says it.
SirThom
New Member
It doesn't offend me, because I interpret it as "Oh my gosh", which also doesn't offend me. =)Goblit said:
Thrawn
New Member
It doesn't necesssarily "offend" me much; I mean, I would prefer it if people didn't use it, because as phantom mentioned, it is taking the Lord's name in vain, but I don't make it a point to tell people not to say it.
techwhosaysnee
New Member
I see why this is something people avoid saying, but I can't imagine being offended by this. I can see saying something, privately, to a guild member for example, as we're all here to provide witness to this specialized community. But I can't see actually being offended by it, especially when it comes from non Christians, who do not share our reasons for not saying it.
Just like I would tell a fellow guild member who used that phrase that perhaps they should avoid using it, I would also tell one who is actually offended by it that perhaps they should loosen up a bit. We're called to be in the world and not be of it... and if we're going to do that successfully enough to reach people, we need to have skin thick enough that such trivia doesn't actually bother us.
Otherwise we'll just be a bunch of perfect Christians talking to other perfect Christians. But that isn't what we're called to do... so maybe we'd just be missing the whole point?
Also, a lot of people translate this as a more watered down "oh my gosh" ... so perhaps when we are offended by our translation of something so general, we should work on our translation skills.
Just like I would tell a fellow guild member who used that phrase that perhaps they should avoid using it, I would also tell one who is actually offended by it that perhaps they should loosen up a bit. We're called to be in the world and not be of it... and if we're going to do that successfully enough to reach people, we need to have skin thick enough that such trivia doesn't actually bother us.
Otherwise we'll just be a bunch of perfect Christians talking to other perfect Christians. But that isn't what we're called to do... so maybe we'd just be missing the whole point?
Also, a lot of people translate this as a more watered down "oh my gosh" ... so perhaps when we are offended by our translation of something so general, we should work on our translation skills.
Whon
Tribe of Judah Left 4 Dead Chapter Leader
To be honest I don't mind some one saying Oh my God.... break it down and look at the saying, is it truly taking the Lord's name in vain... I don't see it. Look at grandparents and the elderly they say things like "bless my heart" "Heavens no" and I've even heard the "Oh my Lord" as a sign of disbelief. So I don't find OMG offensive nor taking the Lord's name in Vain... Now I do find people doing improper, or immoral acts and tring to pass it off as good by using God in it, actaually using the Lords name in vain.
LITSAFALDA
Prayer Angel, Moderator
For this same reason I've always typed omgoodness that way no one can misinterpret what I mean.
Blessings"Angel"
Blessings"Angel"
Thrawn
New Member
LITSAFALDA said:
Good idea, though perhaps a bit lengthy.
Avesther
New Member
If an acronym such as OMG is found to offend somebody, that moment, all use of it should come to an end. By continuing to use it in full knowledge that it offends somebody is very wrong, even more so then the actual use of the acronym.
As Litsafalda mentioned, if using the term OMG means Oh My Goodness, or Oh My Gosh, then spend the extra 1.5 seconds and write it out as OMGoodness, or OMGosh.
By continuing to use OMG without modifying it to the meaning you are trying to convey, you are saying to those who are offended by it, that they don't count or matter in their life. Is this the message of brotherly and sisterly love we are trying to convey, that some people don't matter or care if they are offended by a term?
As Litsafalda mentioned, if using the term OMG means Oh My Goodness, or Oh My Gosh, then spend the extra 1.5 seconds and write it out as OMGoodness, or OMGosh.
By continuing to use OMG without modifying it to the meaning you are trying to convey, you are saying to those who are offended by it, that they don't count or matter in their life. Is this the message of brotherly and sisterly love we are trying to convey, that some people don't matter or care if they are offended by a term?
I don't think it's offensive at all. It's an acronym and as such is vague enough to avoid being offensive. I like to assume the best in people, so unless they spell it out I assume they're using a euphemism like goodness or whatever.
Besides, when a non-Christian says it, they aren't taking OUR Lord's name in vain.
Besides, when a non-Christian says it, they aren't taking OUR Lord's name in vain.
wishanem
New Member
Oh my gosh/goodness/golly-gee/etc. are just neutered versions of the phrase whose meaning is identical (in usage). I'm with Whon here about what "taking the Lord's name in vain" really means, at least in that it doesn't mean what it's generally taken to.
In the same way "cursing" in our society isn't Biblical cursing, and 'foul' language isn't actually foul. Social norms prohibit the usage of such language around other Christians (wouldn't want to ruffle any feathers), but I don't see it as actually being wrong. I'm not a moral relativist, but LANGUAGE only exists as far as people hold similar ideas about what certain words means. It's the sentiment that matters, not the delivery system.
In the same way "cursing" in our society isn't Biblical cursing, and 'foul' language isn't actually foul. Social norms prohibit the usage of such language around other Christians (wouldn't want to ruffle any feathers), but I don't see it as actually being wrong. I'm not a moral relativist, but LANGUAGE only exists as far as people hold similar ideas about what certain words means. It's the sentiment that matters, not the delivery system.
Avesther
New Member
I assume the reason nobody has talked about the second question is because those who aren't offended by the acronym feel its ok to continue to use it, even if it offends somebody.
Thrawn
New Member
kraniac said:
I'm going to have to disagree with ya there. (Time to spark more discussion!
)They're still taking THE Lord's name in vain. Just because they don't believe in Him/haven't accepted his sovereignty, doesn't mean that the 10 Commandments don't apply to them.
Whon
Tribe of Judah Left 4 Dead Chapter Leader
If someone found it offensive I wouldn't use it... to tell the truth I hardly use it as is, but it would raise a discussion on why they find it offensive.
Thrawn said:
I disagree entirely with that. The possessive "my" implies that one is referring to his god, and if one is not a Christian, that could be himself, or Brahman, or the human race, or a hundred other things.
And I also disagree that the 10 Commandments, or any other precepts of Christianity, should apply to people who have not accepted it. Our beliefs are not those of the world in general, and to assume that everyone should arbitrarily follow our religious tenets is shockingly oppressive. Beliefs like that are what lead to one-party authoritarian governments that have a state-sponsored religion. If people are forced in to a religion, it ALWAYS ends up hurting the religion just as much as it hurts the people.
And to answer Gob's second question, I would refrain from using it if it offended people (and it does).
Baron Squirrel
New Member
personally, i find that the word "wow" works in almost all situations i would use that phrase. just as long, and easier to type.
Avesther
New Member
kraniac said:
Would you continue to sensor it if somebody said, it means Oh My Faithful God, or On My Fathers Grave to them? Why, or why not?